Grant for research to help HMC develop safer medication practices

July 12, 2014 - 3:36:29 am

Doha: Health researchers from Aberdeen are working on an innovative project in the Middle East to identify causes of medication errors at Hamad Medical Corporation.

Professor Derek Stewart from Robert Gordon University’s (RGU) School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences is leading a multi-national research team to help HMC strengthen procedures and develop safer medication practices.

The project involves researchers from RGU, University of Aberdeen, Queen’s University Belfast, HMC and Qatar University.

The team has been awarded a grant of $600,000 by Qatar National Research Foundation (QNRF) to identify what causes medication errors and the organisation’s reporting structures.

Prof Stewart, also a principal researcher at RGU’s Institute for Health and Wellbeing Research, has been working with Prof Moza Al Hail and her colleagues at HMC for several years.

He said: “Errors in medication are known to be worldwide issues which can have a major effect on patient care and safety. These can occur during the prescribing, administration and dispensing of medication. We hope the research will lead to the development of more robust and enhanced medication practices at HMC.”

In addition to three general hospitals – Al Khor Hospital, Al Wakra Hospital and the Cuban Hospital – HMC also manages five specialist hospitals, Hamad General Hospital, Rumailah Hospital, Women’s Hospital, the National Centre for Cancer Care and Research and Heart Hospital.

They look after patients with the most prevalent conditions, including cancer and heart conditions, and provide rehabilitation services and specialist treatment for women and children.

Prof Cherry Wainwright, Director, Institute for Health & Wellbeing Research, said: “This is an excellent advance in our research efforts in the field of pharmacy practice, demonstrating the international reach of the research that Prof Stewart is undertaking.

“The collaboration will help cement research relationships with Qatar and hopefully lead to additional collaborations with other countries in the Middle East.”

Prof Donald Cairns, Head of School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, said: “This is great recognition for Prof Stewart and his team. The school has been working with partners in the Gulf for several years and this award will reinforce these relationships.”

QNRF was established in 2006 as part of the government’s on-going commitment to establish Qatar as a knowledge-based economy.

It views research as essential to national and regional growth, and a means to diversify the country’s economy, enhance educational offerings and develop areas that affect the community, such as health and environment.